US3718268A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine for feeding, scoring, and breaking small diameter glass tubing
Assignee: Fletcher Terry Co LLC
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Filing: 1971-07-12
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Granted: 1973-02-27
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Expires: 1991-07-12
Abstract
Abstract The tubing to be cut is placed on a flat bed, relatively longlengths of tubing being arranged in side-by-side relationship so as to fill the entire width of the bed. Tube feeding means is provided above the bed to feed the tubing across an anvil at the downstream end of the bed and up against a measuring bar or stop. The stop is spaced a predetermined distance downstream of the anvil, being adjustable to permit cutting the tubing to the desired length. A scoring wheel and break-off shoe are provided in a carriage, which carriage traverses the bed over the anvil while the tube feeding means clamps the tubing. The feeding and clamping function are automatically provided for and control circuitry is utilized to control these functions as well as to successively complete a predetermined sequence of these feeding and scoring and clamping functions.
Inventors
- 👤 T Insolio
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:00
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B33/00; C03B33/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T225/00; Y10T225/10; Y10T225/12; Y10T225/30; Y10T225/307; Y10T225/321; Y10T225/325
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A machine for scoring and breaking a plurality of side-byside elongated glass members to provide segments of predetermined length, said machine comprising a fixed frame including a bed for supporting the glass members in side-by-side relation, an anvil adjacent a downstream end of said bed, means for feeding said glass members longitudinally downstream across said anvil, stop means provided in spaced parallel downstream relation to said anvil for stopping the glass members in their feeding movement, a carriage having scoring means and breaking means provided thereon, means for traversing said carriage in one direction across the glass members to first score them at said anvil location and to also break them during said carriage traversing movement in said one direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A machine for scoring and breaking a plurality of side-byside elongated glass members to provide segments of predetermined length, said machine comprising a fixed frame including a bed for supporting the glass members in side-by-side relation, an anvil adjacent a downstream end of said bed, means for feeding said glass members longitudinally downstream across said anvil, stop means provided in spaced parallel downstream relation to said anvil for stopping the glass members in their feeding movement, a carriage having scoring means and breaking means provided thereon, means for traversing said carriage in one direction across the glass members to first score them at said anvil location and to also break them during said carriage traversing movement in said one direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The machine defined in claim 1 further characterized by means for timing said feeding means and said carriage traversing means to move the carriage in a return direction when said glass members are fed toward said stop means, said feeding means also serving to clamp the glass members during movement of said carriage in said one direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The machine defined in claim 2 further characterized by means for retracting said stop means during movement of said carriage in said one direction to provide clearance between said stop means and the segments being broken, and means for collecting the glass member segments so broken.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
The machine defined in claim 2 wherein said feeding means comprises at least one feed bar oriented parallel to thE direction of movement of said carriage and having a lower surface adapted to frictionally engage the glass members on said bed, means for imparting a walking motion to said feed bar whereby said bar is moved downwardly and then in a downstream direction and returns to a starting position in a cyclical fashion to feed the glass members incrementally downstream as aforesaid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The machine defined in claim 4 wherein said feeding means further includes a second feed bar adjacent said one feed bar, and second means for imparting a walking motion to said second feed bar, which second means is so related to said first mentioned walking motion means that these feed bars act successively upon said glass members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
The machine defined in claim 5 further characterized by left and right hand bell crank assemblies for each of said feed bars, and means for eccentrically mounting said bars to its associated bell crank assembly to achieve this walking motion, and means for movably mounting said bell crank assemblies to the fixed frame of the machine whereby said feed bars can be moved to an operate position for said walking motion and also to clamp position during movement of said carriage in said one direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
The machine defined in claim 3 wherein said anvil has a convex upper surface with its crown spaced slightly above the upper surface of said bed, and wherein said scoring means comprises a class cutter wheel resiliently mounted in said carriage and located above the anvil crown, said carriage traversing means being adapted to move said cutter wheel in said one direction in a vertical plane normal to said anvil crown.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The machine defined in claim 7 wherein said breaking means comprises a shoe located downstream of said cutter wheel and independently mounted in said carriage for trailing the cutter wheel in its traversing movement, said shoe having an inclined face for exerting a non vertical breaking force on the glass members which it successively engages.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for scoring and breaking elongated members of frangible material and comprising the successive steps of: a. placing the members on a flat bed b. advancing the members in a downstream direction until they contact a stop, which stop is located a predetermined distance downstream of an anvil. c. clamping the members to the bed d. retracting the stop, e. passing a glass cutter across the members above the anvil to score the members, f. passing a break off shoe across the members just downstream of the path of said glass cutter.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for scoring and breaking elongated members of frangible material and comprising the successive steps of: a. placing the members on a flat bed b. advancing the members in a downstream direction until they contact a stop, which stop is located a predetermined distance downstream of an anvil. c. clamping the members to the bed d. retracting the stop, e. passing a glass cutter across the members above the anvil to score the members, f. passing a break off shoe across the members just downstream of the path of said glass cutter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said cutter and breakoff shoe are returned to their initial positions during said member advancing step in an automatic mode of operation, and returning said stop to its predetermined position prior to advancing said members during a succeeding cycle of operation as set forth in claim 9.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-27 | 1976-08-28 | 1977-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-27 | 1980-08-28 | 1981-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-27 | 1984-08-28 | 1985-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |